Life is what you make of it. If you spend your time worrying about how to make more money, you may make more money and then still end up in a worrisome, stressful environment. If you spend it toiling away on your phone, social media, reading the news, worrying about the stocks, you will still feel bored at the end of the day.

Procrastination is rampant in our society because we're spoon-fed the wrong goals, and at the end of the day when we complete those goals, we still feel empty inside.

If you're like me, and want to make your life about your own dreams, instead of societal dreams, it can mean making a few lifestyle changes.

1. Make time to plan out your future life. Don't just think about doing something about it. Do something about it. If you carve out 20 minutes every day just to work towards that thing, that's still progress. It can be towards research, project planning, building something, researching something, practicing something. But make time for it.

2. Make lists. Keep them around. Attach deadlines to the goals set on those lists. Hold yourself accountable.

3. Prevent burnout. Reward yourself. You can start frequently, and then taper off to as needed. The idea is to keep yourself engaged. If you hate the idea of pushing yourself continuously into something that stresses you out and you no longer enjoy, it's no longer conducive to move forward. You will end up quitting before you reach the end. Conversely...

4. Don't give up so easy. There will be many, many challenges. Think of them as hurdles, and allow yourself the emotional satisfaction of relishing those moments when you beat them. And lastly...

5. Never stop changing. Never stop reflecting. Keep your self awareness keen and sharp. Always keep working to find ways to better yourself. There's always a next level. We never finish this process. On those bad days when all you feel is bitterness and hatred towards your boss, coworker, friend, lover? Those days are challenges too. That's not to say beat yourself up for reacting. That's to say that at the end of the day, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, more emotionally aware, more secure. Use those moments to teach you the hardest lessons about yourself, even if the other was in the wrong.